Judge Names 6 Heirs In Prince Estate Case
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After more than a year of court procedures, a Carver County judge has named Prince's siblings as heirs to his estate.
Prince's sister Tyka Nelson and his half-siblings Sharon Nelson, Omar Baker, Alfred Jackson, Norrine Nelson and John R. Nelson will divide an estate valued at $100 to $300 million before taxes.
Only on WCCO, Prince's oldest sister, Sharon Nelson tells Reg Chapman how the family is dedicated to continuing his legacy.
"Oh yes, I am smiling from my heart," Sharon Nelson said.
Sharon Nelson says she and her five siblings are glad a yearlong court battle is over.
"I have a beautiful picture at home of Prince, so this morning I looked at the picture and I said, 'Thank you so much Prince. We are finally real brothers and sisters,'" she said.
Nelson says the toughest part of this past year has been waiting to hear from a judge what she's known her entire life.
"I know he's my brother, but we had to prove it to the world, pretty much, that he really was my brother," she said.
Nelson says media reports of tension between Prince's heirs were exaggerated.
"They always say, 'They're fighting,' but no we are not fighting. The lawyers might be fighting on our behalf, but we personally are not fighting. We do get along," she said.
Nelson says family will work together so Prince's fans can hear the music he left behind.
"We will release some new music and just be patient for it, OK? Wait. It's coming," she said.
She says being named heir clears the way for her to release music she and Prince were working on together before his death.
"Do you remember in the 'Purple Rain' scene when Prince was looking at the music and he saw all the music from Dad? Well, that was true," she said.
Nelson has plans to release a jazz album from music their dad left behind.
She hopes the release of new music will bring Prince's fans closer together.
Court documents make longtime Prince business partner Londell McMillian business advisor to three of the siblings.
Tyka Nelson and Omar Baker did not want McMillan in that role, but Sharon Nelson hopes the family will find a way to work with McMillan in the best interest of the estate.